Remembering Art Modell 1925 – 2012

Modell spent most of his life in the NFL. He was known as one of the league’s most innovative and influential owners.

Remembering Art Modell

Modell was among the most important figures in the NFL as owner of the Cleveland Browns, which became the Ravens after he took the team to Baltimore in 1996.

Remembering Art Modell

The Ravens won their lone Super Bowl in January 2001, less than a year after Modell sold a minority interest of the team to Steve Bisciotti. In April 2004 Bisciotti completed purchase of the franchise but left Modell a 1 percent share.

Remembering Art Modell

The Ravens won their lone Super Bowl in January 2001.

Remembering Art Modell

During his four decades as an NFL owner, Modell helped negotiate the league’s lucrative contracts with television networks, served as president of the NFL from 1967 to 1969, and chaired the negotiations for the first the collective bargaining agreement with the players in 1968.

Remembering Art Modell

TAMPA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens' owner Art Modell walks with director Spike Lee 26 January, 2001, before the teams' third and final workout at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Spike Lee is filming a HBO special on the Ravens. The Ravens will play the New York Giants 28 January in Super Bowl XXXV. Photo credit:PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo credit:PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images

Remembering Art Modell

TAMPA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens' owner Art Modell (R) and Jim Brown, former Cleveland Browns runningback, talk 26 January 2001 before the Ravens' third and final workout at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The Ravens would play the New York Giants 28 January in Super Bowl XXXV. (Photo credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

TAMPA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens' head coach Brian Billick (R) and owner Art Modell (L) talk 24 January 2001 before the team's first workout at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fl. (Photo credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

TAMPA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell faces the press during Super Bowl Media Day at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa 23 January 2001. The Giants will take on the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV on 28 January. (Photo credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

OAKLAND, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens' owner Art Modell (R) celebrates with his son David Modell (L) after the AFC Champioship Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders 14 January 2001 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The Ravens won the game 16-3 and will take on the NFC Champion New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa Florida on 28 January 2001. Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images

Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images

Remembering Art Modell

ATLANTA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (R) arrives at the bond hearing at the Atlanta courthouse for Ravens NFL All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis 14 February 2000. Modell testified as a character witness on Lewis' behalf. Lewis has been indicted on murder charges becuase of his alleged involvement in the stabbing deaths of two men at an Atlanta nightclub following the 30 January 2000 Super Bowl. Photo credit: ALAN MOTHNER/AFP/Getty Images

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 24: Art Modell, previous owner of of the Baltimore Ravens comes onto the field for halftime celebrations of the ten year Super Bowl anniversary team during the game against the Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium on October 24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bills lead the Ravens at the half 24-20. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

(Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

OWINGS MILLS, MD - JUNE 7: Kyle Boller #7 of the Baltimore Ravens and former Ravens owner Art Modell talk after team minicamp on June 7, 2006 at Ravens practice facility in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 8: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (C), flanked by NFL security and the media, enters a meeting with the NFL owners to decide who will be awarded the Cleveland Browns expansion franchise 08 September in Chicago, IL. The Browns franchise which will begin NFL play in the 1999 season was awarded to the Alfred Lerner-Carmen Policy group for over 500 million USD. (Photo credit: DANIEL LIPPITT/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: DANIEL LIPPITT/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 14: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (L) is given the Lamar Hunt Trophy from the San Diego Chargers' owner Alex Spanos (R) after the AFC Champioship Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders 14 January 2001 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The Ravens won the game 16-3 and will take on the NFC Champion New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa Florida on 28 January 2001. (Photo credit: JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 14: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (L) stands as Jamie Sharper (R) holds the Lamar Hunt Trophy at the end of the AFC Champioship Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders 14 January 2001 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The Ravens won the game 16-3 and will take on the NFC Champion New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa Florida on 28 January 2001. (Photo credit: JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo credit: JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images

Remembering Art Modell

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 14: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (L) and head coach Brian Billick (R) stand on the sidelines at the end of the AFC Champioship Playoff game against the Oakland Raiders 14 January 2001 at the Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The Ravens won the game 16-3 and will take on the NFC Champion New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa Florida 28 January 2001. Photo credit: JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images

Photo credit: JOHN MABANGLO/AFP/Getty Images

Remembering Art Modell

BALTIMORE, : Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (R) celebrates with his son and team President David (L) on stage with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a victory parade and celebration for the Super Bowl XXXV champions in front of City Hall 30 January 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo credit: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

BALTIMORE, : Super Bowl XXXV Most Valuable Player Ray Lewis (L) reacts to Baltimore Ravens team owner Art Modell dancing on stage during a victory parade and celebration for the Baltimore Ravens in front of City Hall 30 January 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the New York Giants to win the championship. (Photo credit: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

Remembering Art Modell

BALTIMORE, : Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell (R) embraces his son and team President David (L) on stage with the Vince Lombardi Trophy during a victory parade and celebration for the Super Bowl XXXV champions in front of City Hall 30 January 2001 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo credit: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

TAMPA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his Ravens defeated the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV 28 January 2001 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens defeated the Giants 34-7 for the NFL championship. (Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

(Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)

Remembering Art Modell

TAMPA, UNITED STATES: Baltimore Ravens' owner Art Modell (R) congratulates Most Valuable Player (MVP) Ray Lewis after the Ravens defeated the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV 28 January, 2001, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Ravens defeated the Giants 34-7 for the NFL championship. (Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP/Getty Images)